Microsoft

Senior Director, Government Affairs

Microsoft • $160K — $284K *
Washington, DC 20011In-Person
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in relevant field or equivalent experience
  • 8+ years in government affairs or related domains
  • Strong understanding of AI policy and technology
  • Proven ability to build relationships across government and industry
  • Experience in strategic policy development and advocacy

Responsibilities

  • Lead U.S. AI policy strategy across government and industry
  • Develop actionable guidance from legislative and regulatory changes
  • Engage with policymakers and thought leaders to promote AI policies
  • Integrate AI policy with broader agendas like national security and workforce
  • Advance federal policy agenda for physical AI and robotics
  • Translate technical R&D innovations into relevant policy recommendations
  • Maintain relationships with key government agencies

Benefits

  • Access to comprehensive health benefits
  • Opportunity for professional development and growth
  • Work-life balance initiatives
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Involvement in high-impact policy work at a global technology leader
Full Job Description
Overview

In the role of Senior Director, Government Affairs you will serve as Microsoft's lead U.S. federal AI policy strategist, responsible for developing and advancing the company's policy positions in Washington, DC. You will partner closely with the Office of Responsible AI (ORA), Microsoft AI, Microsoft Research, the Office of the Chief Scientific Officer, Corporate Standards, Security, and product teams to ensure all policy positions are technically grounded in Microsoft's responsible AI, security, and innovation roadmaps.

Responsibilities
U.S. AI Policy Strategy & Frontier Governance

Leads Microsoft's U.S. AI policy strategy across government, industry, and third parties in Washington, DC
  • Develops and executes Microsoft's approach to U.S. AI policy in close collaboration with ORA, Standards and Security teams, including federal legislation, national standards, and federal-state alignment, ensuring coherence across governance, innovation, and deployment priorities. Helps shape Microsoft's federal policy positions on emerging and high-stakes frontier AI policy questions, including agentic systems, recursive self-improvement, model access and security, and evaluation frameworks.

Translates technical and policy developments into actionable strategy
  • Converts fast-moving legislative, regulatory, and technical developments into clear guidance, decision-ready materials, and strategic recommendations for senior leadership-ensuring alignment with Microsoft's product, research, and security priorities.

Drives technically grounded coalition and ecosystem engagement
  • Leads engagement with policymakers, peer companies, civil society, and thought leaders in Washington to advance credible, evidence-based AI policy outcomes, with an emphasis on building durable consensus and reinforcing Microsoft's role as a trusted, technically informed voice.

Leads cross-functional integration of AI policy across priority domains
  • Partners across USGA and CELA to integrate AI policy into broader agendas, including national security, workforce and labor, science and research policy, and global competitiveness-ensuring consistency with Microsoft's end-to-end AI strategy.


Physical AI, Robotics, and Autonomous Systems Policy

Builds Microsoft's federal policy agenda for physical AI
  • Co-develops and advances Microsoft's U.S. policy strategy on physical AI, including robotics, autonomous systems, embodied AI, and industrial AI-establishing this domain as a core and forward-looking pillar of the company's AI policy work.

Translates technical innovation into policy leadership
  • Serves as the convener and collaborator between ORA, Microsoft Research, the Office of the Chief Science Officer, and product teams, distilling cutting-edge R&D into clear policy positions and legislative frameworks for U.S. policymakers.

Leads early-stage policymaker engagement and thought leadership
  • Builds and maintains relationships across the White House, Congress, and key agencies (e.g., DOC, DOD, DOE, NIST) to shape emerging U.S. approaches to physical AI and position Microsoft as a trusted leader in safe and responsible deployment.

Integrates physical AI into broader AI and industrial policy frameworks
  • Ensures alignment of robotics and embodied AI policy with Microsoft's broader positions on AI governance, workforce transformation, supply chains, infrastructure, and national competitiveness-reflecting the convergence of digital and physical systems.


Qualifications

Required/minimum qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Political Science, Business Administration, Technology, Law, Liberal Arts, Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years work experience in government affairs, corporate affairs, public policy, government, or related area
    • OR equivalent experience.


Government Affairs IC6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $160,700.00 - $284,400.00 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $207,700.00 - $311,500.00 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

About Microsoft

Microsoft is an American multinational corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells a range of software products and services. Microsoft’s devices and consumer (D&C) licensing segment licenses the Windows operating system and related software, Microsoft Office for consumers, and the Windows Phone operating system. The company’s computing and gaming hardware segment provides Xbox gaming and entertainment consoles and accessories, second-party and third-party video games, and Xbox Live subscriptions; surface devices and accessories; and Microsoft PC accessories. Its phone hardware segment offers Lumia smartphones and other non-Lumia phones. Its D&C segment provides Windows Store, Xbox Live transactions, and Windows phone store; search advertising; display advertising; Office 365 Home and Office 365 Personal; first-party video games; and other consumer products and services as well as operating retail stores. Microsoft’s commercial licensing segments license server products, including Windows Server, Microsoft SQL Server, Visual Studio, System Center, and related Client Access Licenses (CALs); Windows Embedded; Windows operating system; Microsoft Office for business, including Office, Exchange, SharePoint, Lync, and related CALs; Microsoft Dynamics business solutions; and Skype. Its commercial segment offers enterprise services, including premier support services and Microsoft consulting services; commercial cloud comprising Office 365 Commercial, other Microsoft Office online offerings, Dynamics CRM Online, and Microsoft Azure; and other commercial products and online services. The company markets and distributes its products through original equipment manufacturers, distributors, and resellers, as well as online.

Microsoft Careers

Join Microsoft today and be part of a company that values innovation, leadership, and diversity in its workforce. As a global leader in technology and digital transformation, Microsoft offers unparalleled job opportunities that propel your career to new heights.

Explore Career Opportunities at Microsoft

Whether you're a seasoned professional looking for your next challenge or a recent graduate eager to start your career, Microsoft has a position that suits your skills and ambitions. We are committed to fostering a culture of growth and learning, where every team member is supported in expanding their horizons.

Internship Programs

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Employment Benefits

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Inclusive Culture and Diversity

At Microsoft, we believe that innovation comes from diversity of thought and inclusion. We are committed to a workplace where everyone feels valued and inspired. Our leadership is dedicated to fostering an environment where diverse perspectives lead to breakthrough innovations and a competitive edge.

Grow with Us

Career growth at Microsoft is about more than climbing the corporate ladder; it's about continuous learning, expanding your skills, and improving your capabilities. With access to various leadership and training programs, you can evolve as a professional and make a significant impact within the company and on the global stage.

Hiring Process

Our hiring process is designed to identify true potential. Starting with a review of your resume, followed by interviews that assess your problem-solving abilities and cultural fit, we ensure that all candidates have a fair chance to demonstrate their strengths and potential to contribute to our team.

Networking and Professional Development

Microsoft is a place where you can build a professional network that spans the globe. Our employees benefit from connections with top-tier professionals and industry leaders, which opens doors to innovative projects and collaborative opportunities that are second to none.

Join Our Team

If you're ready to take on exciting challenges and make a difference in the world of technology, explore the job opportunities at Microsoft. Search for open positions that match your skills and interests, and prepare to embark on a rewarding career path filled with innovation and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

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At Microsoft, your future is limitless. Join us in our mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Your journey with Microsoft starts here.
Learn more about Microsoft
Size
181,000 employees
Market Cap
$1,762.4 billion
Industry
Enterprise Technology
Net Income
$51.3 billion
Founded
1975
5 Year Trend
+15.5%
Revenue
$153.2 billion
NASDAQ
MSFT
* Ladders Estimates

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